Reflect Art Expands into Kyushu with New Store Opening in Fukuoka

Reflect Art Inc., known for its creative art merchandise, is set to open its first store in Kyushu on September 11, 2026, in Fukuoka's underground shopping street, Tenjin. Founded by Ayano Fukumura, this new location represents the company's commitment to spreading artistic experiences across the region, ensuring that everyone can meet art in their daily lives.

A Hometown Opening

Ayano Fukumura, the CEO and founder of Reflect Art, hails from Omuta City in Fukuoka. Raised by a musician mother and a father who crafted stained glass, Fukumura's passion for art was nurtured from a young age. After studying music and art at Tokyo University of the Arts, she established Reflect Art in 2018, expanding its presence in major cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka. The opening of the Fukuoka store marks her return to her roots, and she aims to empower local artists by giving them a platform to reach audiences in their homeland.

"I grew up in Omuta, where music and glass art were part of my everyday life. Creating accessories from my father's stained glass scraps ignited my passion for artistry. However, once outside my home, art seemed distant for many kids. Being able to open a store in Tenjin, a special place I visited only a few times a year during childhood, feels surreal," she shares. "There are many talented artists in Kyushu who believe they must go to Tokyo for opportunities. I want this store to become a place where they can share their art locally."

Promoting Artistic Careers

In Japan, it's estimated that about 750,000 talented artists struggle to make a living from their craft alone. To address this issue, Reflect Art actively creates systems that allow artists to continue their artistic pursuits while earning income. One such initiative is the "Hand-Painted Project," where Reflect Art handles product planning, design, production, and sales, allowing artists to focus solely on their creativity. They receive a payment for each piece they create, which alleviates inventory risk and the burden of finding selling avenues.

In addition, artists can sell their own works through a buyout model – unlike consignment sales, artists are paid upfront upon delivery of their pieces, offering them financial security irrespective of sales performance.

With over 500 artist partnerships and collaborations with over 70 museums nationwide, Reflect Art takes pride in fostering an ecosystem where creativity thrives.

More Stores, More Connections

Having successfully established stores in Tokyo, Yokohama, and Osaka, Reflect Art is poised for accelerated growth in 2026. The new Fukuoka location follows the grand openings of their Tokyo Solamachi store in April and LaForet Harajuku store in August, making it the eighth store in Japan.

By increasing store numbers, Reflect Art seeks to enhance opportunities for artists to present their work and connect with audiences. They envision these spaces as not just places to buy art, but as venues for meaningful connections between people and artworks, as well as fostering relationships between artists and communities.

"The more encounters we facilitate, the more creation flows," Fukumura emphasizes. This vision for growth will be realized in the new Fukuoka store, which will evolve the shopping experience into an interactive space where art is integrated into daily life.

A Future with 3,000 Artist Partners

The goal of Reflect Art is simple: by expanding their stores, they aim to increase the number of artists who can pursue their passions part-time, eventually engaging local artists in each new location, just like in Fukuoka.

Currently collaborating with over 500 artist partners, Reflect Art plans to grow further across Japan, aspiring to establish 35 stores nationwide and work with 3,000 artists. The Fukuoka location will symbolize the company's next chapter, providing both a springboard for new talent and a nurturing ground for fruitful artistic encounters.

Reflect Art continues to strive to make art more accessible, enjoyable, and an integral part of daily life. By facilitating encounters that spark creativity, they aim to realize their mission of connecting everyone with art.

Store Information

- Store Name: Reflect Art Fukuoka Tenjin Underground Store
- Opening Date: September 11, 2026
- Location: 2 Chome, Tenjin, Chuo Ward, Fukuoka, Japan.

About Reflect Art

Reflect Art is a company dedicated to creating opportunities for young artists to produce unique art merchandise by hand. The store offers handmade goods, stationery, glass accessories, and limited edition pieces by artists from Fukuoka and Kyushu, ensuring every item is one-of-a-kind. Each piece purchased not only supports artists but also fuels their creative journeys.

The new location promises to deliver a vibrant art experience, encouraging both gift-givers and art enthusiasts to explore the creative space.

Conclusion

Reflect Art, led by Ayano Fukumura, exemplifies a mission where art is not only accessible but also a medium for connecting creativity and community, helping to sustain an ecosystem where art and artists can flourish, especially in regions like Kyushu.